Partnership Visits Cuba and Establishes Relationships
by Ken Lasseter, Cuba Partnership Network
The Central Florida Presbytery’s Cuba Leadership Team lead Partnership trip returned late Tuesday night, February 25. It was an enlightening visit. There were 31 people on the trip. Those with partnership/relationships spent most of their time with their churches. In all, 10 of the 12 churches in El Centro Presbytery were visited by people on the trip. We met them in their churches and in their homes, we shared meals with them, we sang with them, we worshipped with them, we shared stories with them, and we received handmade valentines by the children with messages of love.
We met with their council. The council members shared news from their Presbytery, their successes, their problems, their needs and desires for the future. We had the unique experience of having guests from the Cuban government give a presentation. They were the Directors of Religious Affairs, one from the government and the other from the Communist Party. They did acknowledge the help we bring but also painted a rosy picture of life in Cuba.
Conditions in Cuba are getting worse. Food, electricity, gasolene, and propane are scarce. Before out trip, those churches represented on the trip, sent food which was shared by all 12 Cuban churches in El Centro. We took over the counter medicines, Sunday School supplies for children. 3 wheelchairs, 2 walkers, a pair of crutches, and other things that we knew our partners needed. We also took some funding for the Cuban Presbytery.
The El Centro Presbytery Council is investigating installing solar systems in each church. Solar power can provide electricity for cooking, hot water, lights for inside and night meetings. It will also provide power for those churches that have purified water systems.
The churches give OTC medicines to those in the community who need them. They also have feeding projects in which they offer meals to their community at scheduled times. With the electricity and propane shortages, they have resorted to preparing many meals on charcoal stoves. They also wash and mend clothes. It is amazing to see people in need helping others in need. Electrical blackouts in some towns last as long as 18 to 19 hours each day.
The Synod has refurbished CANIP, the Synod’s camp. This summer, it hosted 3 weeklong sessions for youth groups. The Synod has begun renting it to other groups as a source of income. The hope is to make it self-sufficient.
Your contributions have been extremely helpful. It is rewarding to see people who live in such extreme conditions smile, laugh, and sing while looking for ways to help others. Please continue to make contributions to this mission. Send your check to the Presbytery office marked for “Cuba”.
Submitted by the Cuba Partnership Team
We met with their council. The council members shared news from their Presbytery, their successes, their problems, their needs and desires for the future. We had the unique experience of having guests from the Cuban government give a presentation. They were the Directors of Religious Affairs, one from the government and the other from the Communist Party. They did acknowledge the help we bring but also painted a rosy picture of life in Cuba.
Conditions in Cuba are getting worse. Food, electricity, gasolene, and propane are scarce. Before out trip, those churches represented on the trip, sent food which was shared by all 12 Cuban churches in El Centro. We took over the counter medicines, Sunday School supplies for children. 3 wheelchairs, 2 walkers, a pair of crutches, and other things that we knew our partners needed. We also took some funding for the Cuban Presbytery.
The El Centro Presbytery Council is investigating installing solar systems in each church. Solar power can provide electricity for cooking, hot water, lights for inside and night meetings. It will also provide power for those churches that have purified water systems.
The churches give OTC medicines to those in the community who need them. They also have feeding projects in which they offer meals to their community at scheduled times. With the electricity and propane shortages, they have resorted to preparing many meals on charcoal stoves. They also wash and mend clothes. It is amazing to see people in need helping others in need. Electrical blackouts in some towns last as long as 18 to 19 hours each day.
The Synod has refurbished CANIP, the Synod’s camp. This summer, it hosted 3 weeklong sessions for youth groups. The Synod has begun renting it to other groups as a source of income. The hope is to make it self-sufficient.
Your contributions have been extremely helpful. It is rewarding to see people who live in such extreme conditions smile, laugh, and sing while looking for ways to help others. Please continue to make contributions to this mission. Send your check to the Presbytery office marked for “Cuba”.
Submitted by the Cuba Partnership Team